It's the Christmas season at New York's venerable Macy's department store, and the perfect bearded gentleman is suited up in red and listening to children's wishes as the store's Santa Claus. But as he spreads Christmas cheer and even causes rival store owners Macy and Gimbel to put aside their competition, a small problem arises: He claims to really be Santa.

Ever since the film that tells this story, "Miracle on 34th Street," came out in 1947, it's been a staple of the holiday season, and has spawned any number of remakes including the stage musical version coming to the Croswell Opera House this weekend and next.

Tickets are $28 for adults, $25 for students and seniors, and $15 for children 12 and under, and can be ordered at the Croswell box office, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian; by calling 264-7469; or online at www.croswell.org.

"We really have an incredible cast," said Betsy Lackey, who co-directs the production with her husband, Michael, now back in Adrian after the closing of the Las Vegas production of "Phantom of the Opera" in which he performed for years. "We couldn't have cast it better. ... (They're) hysterically funny. And the kids are stealing the show."

Michael, who also serves as the production's scenic painter, echoed Betsy's sentiments. "The show has really grown on me because of the people we've cast," he said.

Among the standout performances, to him, are those of Hyre, who he thinks makes "the perfect Santa," and of Kasischke as the man who woos and eventually wins Doris.

"Karl takes a role that could've been so swaggering and cocky, and he makes him charming," he said. "You really want him to get the girl."

This musical version of the classic holiday story was written in 1963 by Meredith Willson, of "The Music Man" and "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" fame. Oddly enough, its original title was "Here's Love," after one of the main songs.

The show ran on Broadway for more than 300 performances, but — in its original form, at least — "it's not (Willson's) most stellar work," said Betsy. The Toronto Civic Light Opera Co. subsequently staged the work twice, with extensive revisions that fixed a lot of the issues with both the book and the music.

Page 2 of 2 - The storyline is basically the same as in the much-loved movie, but in Willson's musical re-imagining of it, it actually took place in the 1960s. The version being staged by the Croswell takes the story back to its 1940s roots, and in fact much of the dialogue will seem quite familiar to anyone who knows the original film.

"There are a lot of lines that are straight out of the movie," Michael said.

On the other hand, the songs won't be nearly as well-known. In fact, the only tune audience members are likely to find familiar is the classic holiday number "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas," which people might be surprised to discover was written by Willson. But that's not to say that the music, while a rather eclectic collection of styles, isn't catchy. "People will like the music," said Betsy. "It's cute and upbeat."

Wynne Marsh is the music director, while Kristi Davis is the choreographer, Ryan Tymensky is the scenic designer, and Pam Krage is the costumer. Lighting design is by Tiff Crutchfield, with sound design by Tyler Miller. Jessie Montie is the production stage manager.